The Development of the Main Character Due to an Epiphany in John Cheever's Reunion, Raymond Carver's Cathedral, and Sandra Cisneros' Woman Hollering Creek
John Cheever was an American novelist and short story writer whose work was often characterized by its tragic themes and the ways in which it focused on the lives of suburbanites in post-World War II America Cheever wrote and published over 70 short stories and five novels, he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1979 for his novel The Wapshot Chronicle. He is often associated with his contemporary John Updike, both writers being considered as part of the tradition of mid-century American fiction writing.
Though Cheever is known mainly for his short stories, which often focus on the disenchantment of the suburban experience, his novels are filled with a greater depth of character development and a more intense examination of the consequences of the choices we make in life. His work is often cited as a testament to the power of literature to explore complex psychological states and how those states can transform, both positively and negatively, the lives of those who inhabit them.
The five best examples of John Cheever’s work are:
1. The Wapshot Chronicle (1957): This novel follows the lives of the Wapshot family, a clan struggling with the ever-changing nature of society and values, as well as their own changing relationships. It is often considered Cheever's most lyrical and passionate works.
2. Bullet Park (1969): This novel follows the life of a suburbanite named Paul Hammer, who, while struggling with the psychological consequences of his childhood, is determined to find external redemption. Rich in symbolism and filled with unexpected plot twists, this novel is often cited as a classic exploration of the dangers of conformity.
3. “The Swimmer” (1964): This short story follows the journey of Neddy Merrill, a middle-aged man who embarks on a swimming odyssey through a series of interconnected pools in a suburban swimming club. Through vivid imagery and surprising plot developments, this story provides an exploration of mid-century suburban life and the hidden pitfalls of leisure.
4. “The Five-Forty-Eight” (1954): This story follows the exploits of a middle-aged man as he tries to exact revenge on a woman who rejected him many years ago. The story examines the psychological power of obsession and the ways in which it can turn our lives into living nightmares.
5. “The Enormous Radio” (1947): This short story follows the life of a young couple living in a suburban tower apartment. The story explores the consequences of being able to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations, and how it leads to a profound sense of alienation and disillusionment.
These five works by John Cheever are some of the most powerful and influential pieces of literature of the twentieth century, and they still remain timeless and relevant today. Each one examines the lives of suburbanites and their search for meaning and redemption in a world where conformity is the norm and individualism is seen as a threat. From his novels to his short stories, Cheever created works that still resonate in many ways with contemporary readers.